Is the terminology describing parts of the British Isles really so hard to understand?

Question

It might seem pedantic, but it gets really annoying seeing Americans constantly using the wrong terms when talking about the UK, England, Great Britain, Ireland, etc. I'm not trying to be insulting, I'm just hoping to educate some of you so you don't make a fool of yourself in the future. If you don't want to be lectured I suggest you read no further.

1. The British Isles - This is a purely geographical that term refers to the archipelago of Islands of the coast of Northern Europe. It is politically separated into three separate countries - The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man.

2. The UK - short for 'The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'. The UK comprises of 4 'countries within a country', these are; England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. (Note, not all of the island of Ireland is part of the UK, only the northern part).

Answer 1

Now that you've answered that question? who are Americans? lol

Answer 2

I'm afraid that you are not entirely correct. Firstly Scotland and England are 'Constituent Countries' of (Great) Britain, while Wales is a Principality (hence the Prince of Wales) and Northern Ireland (or Ulster) is a Province. In it's fullest description, the United Kingdom is "The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man"



You are however 100% correct in saying that the geographical "British Isles" does include the whole of the 'island' of Ireland, north and south. This is a purely geographical description and has nothing to do with political/national boundaries. It's a bit like Australia and New Zealand being jointly referred to as 'The Antipodes'.



I hope this makes things clear to one and all.

Answer 3

The British Isles does refer to the republic of Ireland. They may not be British, but the island they live on is part of the British isles.



How can Northen Ireland be part but not the Republic?



The British Isles is all the islands around Britain, includng Ireland.

Answer 4

Huh, thanks for the lecture- too bad you arent entirely correct. I work with a number of Gentlemen from Dublin, Republic of Ireland on a daily basis. They very, very strongly inform me that the Island that they, and Northern Ireland reside on is NOT a part of the British Isles, despite your claim to the contrary.

Given that- is it really that difficult for you to understand why people from other places might get a bit confused? Are you, for example, able to give a similar lecture on how the archipelago of Indonesia works for the "uninformed" masses?

Answer 5

in case you propose a huge Glaswegian accessory plus the community slang etc then probable no longer, however the comparable is genuine of maximum super cities. have you ever heard a Cockney communicate or a Scouser? you will possibly have not have been given any concern in any respect understand-how maximum Glaswegians via fact they simply do no longer communicate that way. They use typical English and a incredibly gentle Glaswegian accessory. basically like maximum folk from maximum cities. human beings forget approximately that for the period of the previous Eastenders started Cockneys have been unintelligible to something of the rustic. @geri: Karly Ashworth is from Fife, on the different area of Scotland from Glasgow and had a thoroughly distinctive accessory. Fifers are famously complicated to appreciate right here in Scotland.

Answer 6

I reckon it is. I'm fed up of it as well, like most Scottish and Welsh people. You've got to remember that most people are total f*ckwits, and trying to get them to remember facts about their own country let alone another is a lost cause. Just feel superior when you hear them refer to Britain or the UK as England.

Answer 7

Probably because it is confusing. I am British and I live in the UK, and I never know whether or not I should say I am from Britain, or UK or England. I can see why people find it confusing, and don't understand why you can't...

Answer 8

American Bashing - I love it.



But don't bee too hard on them 90% of Americans haven't left their home state let alone the USA and being uneducated is almost admired in the US.



Try to be gentle on the many are Ignorant of the facts and believe the rubbish they are told about being in charge of the word!!

Answer 9

The terminology is not hard for us "Brits" to understand but the Yanks - as some of them have never travelled outside of their own state I would think they would struggle.

Good explaination but you missed out the Channel Islands lol.

Answer 10

P!ssed off much? Yeah that annoys me too, so I know how you feel :P



And the British Isles does not refer to the Republic of Ireland.

Answer 11

Its a shame we cant put 3 colour pictures up to explain it

Answer 12

Well put but the americans will still be too stupid to understand it

Answer 13

It is easy if you understand what the Union Jack is made up of.

Answer 14

haha you tell em!

Answer 15

:)